By: Dr. Benjamin Kofi Kujabi
For almost a decade, our conversations in households, on social media, in streets, bantabas, on TVs, radios, and elsewhere have centered around politics and music. Political discussions dominate from early February to the end of November, while music takes over from early December to late January, the period when our musicians hit the jackpot. Yet we rarely discuss the real issues facing our society as part of our daily conversations, whether online, in the press, on TV, or radio.
To begin with, corruption: We always say, “The government is corrupt” or “President Barrow should fight corruption,” but we never ask the key question: Who are the people in government? They are our parents, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, relatives, neighbors, and us working in government. We are the corrupt government officials! Why? Because we never hold ourselves accountable. For instance, we won’t question our parents or relatives working in government about the amassed wealth they have acquired while in public service, because our culture teaches us that “wherever you tie the G.O.A.T., that is where it will feed itself.” This adage has ruined our society from one generation to another. It’s bad and it must be uprooted from our culture.
Many times we have asked the President to fight corruption, but he has dragged his feet after his first attempt and decided to set up an institution to combat it. Let’s take the case of Dr. Banja as an example. After he was exposed by Malagen for his corrupt activities, the government investigated him, prosecuted him, and he was convicted. Yet a few months later, he was pardoned by the President. This is not rocket science for the layperson to understand: family, friends, relatives, associates, and marabouts pleaded with the President to pardon him while ignoring his corrupt practices. By heeding these pleas and granting amnesty, puts the President in a position of an abettor of corruption. This is us, Gambia! “Su fuki nit di gass, fuki di suul, ponda rek moi barri wayee paxbi du musa fess.” In essence, it’s one step forward and two steps backward.
Another example is the recently concluded Local Government Commission of Inquiry, where our parents, friends, and relatives were paraded and questioned for mismanaging public funds, to which many admitted guilt. Did we call them out or hold them accountable? This is how our culture of working in government and public offices has played out from one generation to another.
Another pressing issue is the “backway.” The recent wave of “backway” journeys to Europe can be attributed to many factors, but in my view, it boils down to the “semester syndrome” and choice, though some argue it’s due to poverty and lack of jobs. I beg to differ. The semester syndrome stems from growing up in a society where family members, neighbors, and relatives return from Europe with cars, containers, half a dozen necklaces (chains), and fleets of vehicles. When asked what job they do there, the answer is simple: “fajex” (selling drugs). They share stories of how “fast money” can be made in Europe in a short time. These tales have been passed down for generations, creating an air of curiosity (kumpa) in our minds and a desire to unlock it (napse). This myth is nothing but a fantasy, a cancer slowly eating our people in the Mediterranean Sea just to reach Europe and return as “semesters.” But who sponsors these journeys? We are! We sell land, jewelry (ourus), cows, and donate funds just for one person to embark on these perilous journeys. And when a boat capsizes, we blame the government and refuse to take responsibility. We must be accountable for their deaths! It is time for introspective reasoning: investing in these journeys is digging one’s grave before death. We could do better with a second thought.
To those insisting on poverty and lack of job opportunities: The Gambia may be “poor on paper,” but you will rarely see someone go to bed without food or without shelter for the night. Blaming the government for lack of jobs is often just to score political points, forgetting that government does not directly employ people (e.g., carpenters, masons, plumbers). Instead, it creates an enabling environment for jobs through infrastructure projects: it awards contracts via bidding, and the contractor employs masons, electricians, plumbers, tile men, painters, carpenters, etc. Those in transport benefit from delivering goods, vendors thrive, security firms are engaged, and so on. This is how government creates jobs, but most importantly, by maintaining peace, security, and stability. Without these, there can be no jobs. To complement this, the government invests in education (tertiary, vocational/technical) to prepare people for the job market. Education is one of the most powerful tools for equipping individuals to be employed or self-employed. What affects us is that our society does not respect or honor skilled workers. We have a deficit of skilled labor because we regard jobs like mason, carpenter, plumber, painter, mechanic, food vendor, or storekeeper as for the underprivileged, not knowing these are universal roles that hold the fabric of our economy. Once classified as inferior, it pushes people toward limited opportunities.
On crime and littering: Starting with crime, there were moments when online platforms were flooded with videos of thieves caught, phones snatched, and robberies. This created the impression that crime was rising and the country was unsafe. The police would refute this with data, but the proliferation of videos easily swayed public opinion. But who are these thieves, and where do they come from? Again, they are our brothers, uncles, relatives, and neighbors, coming from our homes. We feed them, clothe them, and harbor them. In The Gambia, we don’t report crimes; we negotiate them on the spot or already know the culprit. For instance, when a thief is pursued, someone will harbor him, and later we blame the government.
Finally, on littering, let us reflect on these questions for a cleaner environment: Have I ever held someone accountable for throwing trash on the streets? Have I ever stopped someone from spilling water in the streets? Have I ever reported an illegal dumpsite to the council? Have I ever organized a cleaning exercise in my neighborhood? Have I ever held the council accountable for failing to collect our garbage? Until we answer YES to these, we will continue to live in a dirty environment.
In conclusion, we must instill good values, reshape our society, reform our culture, report crimes, and become each other’s keepers. That way, we can build a better, safer society that thrives and creates a prosperous nation with patriotic citizens.
I remain in the service of the nation. For The Gambia, ever true.
